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I suppose it was before we were all born, so we have no fond memories of it, but was there any copper book similar to Freeman's when decimalisation rolled around? I assumed that bronze varieties were popular because they were cheap (to pull from change at least) but also because there was a readily available reference book that got to the point.

Have always admired these big coppers…lovely coin!

No hesitation in posting this 1841 colon after REG. Superb coin, a/UNC with lustre, and a great strike.

Davies (British Silver Coins since 1816) has a discussion on alloys. 10% Nickel and 40% copper was achieved by using discarded bullet envelopes. But this caused a number of problems such as higher fuel cost (due to higher melting point), discolouration, flaking etc

https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/08/nadine-dorries-could-join-tory-leadership-race-16970021/ Seriously? Might be running for cover would make a lot more sense ...

Yes, but he had to suddenly hand in a shock resignation as Downing Street cat first. But don't worry - Nadine Dorries has got his position..

He'll soon deal with the cabinet rats as they enter the building.

Indeed. Even a decent VG example of F169 is well over a thousand. But sometimes you see a worn rare silver variety with less than a handful of known examples selling for less than a hundred.

I agree with you. But I think it is fair to say that bronze / copper collectors are more into rare varieties than silver collectors. A rare variety penny grading fine can worth many thousands, but the market is not quite the same for a rare variety silver in my view.

Having now completed my Victoria copper penny series (with the exception of the Medusa and 1858 large rose, small date), this is how difficult I've found the difficult dates/varieties (a matter of availability rather than money):- 1839 proof - kept eluding me. Very difficult and the ones that did show up, very pricey. Had to eventually take the price plunge, otherwise I'd wait forever. Although if I'd waited, there's 2 at the upcoming Australian Noble auction. 1841 colon after REG: Scarce in mid grade. Very difficult in high grade. 1843 (all types) very difficult in high grade. No opportunity so far for anything above VF. Only sub fine for no colon after REG. 1845 - scarce at all levels. Finally got a decent one very recently (Interesting that although 1844 is technically, roughly the same as 1845 in terms of scarcity, there always seems to be 1844's on offer, but very few 1845's) 1847 Medusa: only saw the one on offer by Coopers Coins. Didn't buy for reasons now forgotten. 1849: A few available in the low to mid grades, but the high grade ones are excessively rare. I was extremely lucky with the one I got. Other than that I've seen an EF specimen, and the aUNC Waterbird example. 1853 PT: have to say, very rare, especially in high grade. I'm convinced Keith Bayford made a mistake offering a GEF example for just £125 1853 PT italic date: you just have to jump if you are lucky enough to see one. The fine example I bought from John (Stephen) Jerrams was sold as a PT specimen only. He didn't mention the italic date. 1854/3 - the real deal ones are extremely rare, and even more difficult in grades above fine. 1854 no colons - again very rare. Seen two, although probably a few unattributed ones have gone under the radar. 1856 OT - managed to obtain a fine example, and that's it. Dave Craddock did have an a/UNC with lustre specimen on offer for £1600 about a year back, but not surprisingly, by the time I called him, it had already gone. Excessively rare for availability at any grade. 1858 large rose large date: not seen one yet. 1860/59 - not as desperately rare as I'd feared, and did get an EF specimen with slight residual lustre.

Followup: no news! LOL I believe this set had to have had a max of 50 sets, and probably less. I am a bit of an hoarder and probably would buy a second if it became available....

Here. https://www.rpcoins.co.uk

I didn't know Rob had a large library and sells books either.... ...that's useful info. Are the sales just on this forum, or does he have a website?

I have never looked into this in detail but it is likely enough that different alloys were used for casings. Cupronickel coinage of 75% Cu and 25% Ni is already white in appearance. Hence 40% nickel would definitely not result in a copper colour shell which are common in WWI. Could it be possible that a certain amount of copper was mixed with the silver depending on the composition of the casings used to ensure some sort of consistency?

Well, just scrolling through July's Coin News, which arrived earlier today, and noticed that "Goulbourn Collection Ltd" were offering an 1863 slender three penny, in Fair to NF, for £250. Intrigued, and a little sceptical, I called and the guy told me that (unsurprisingly) it had already gone. I asked if it was the real deal as in my view £250 for a slender date 3 is a ridiculously small amount, given they are vanishingly rare. He told me it definitely was. "A little manky" he said, but a surefire slender 3. Would have been interested to see a pic.

Depends on the dates and denominations. For example, for the George V shilling, you have the following mixes: 1920-22 Silver 50%, Copper 40% and Nickel 10% (Some 1921 shillings contain a small amount of Manganese) 1922-27 Silver 50% and Copper 50% 1927-36 Silver 50%, Copper 40%, Nickel 5% and Zinc 5%